President Donald Trump is shaking up diplomacy with a bold move. He’s refusing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is at the table, as the New York Post reports. This trilateral gambit could reshape the Ukraine war’s trajectory.
Trump’s condition for a three-way meeting aims to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ongoing since February 2022. No world leader, not even Joe Biden, has managed to get Putin and Zelensky in the same room since the conflict began. The White House is pushing hard for this unprecedented summit.
On Wednesday, Trump floated the idea of a trilateral meeting during a press conference. He expressed doubts about Moscow’s sincerity, saying he’s unsure if they’re just “tapping [him] along.” His skepticism stems from Putin’s history of broken promises.
Trump’s patience is wearing thin with Putin’s double-dealing. “He talks nice and then he bombs everybody,” Trump said, slamming Putin’s pattern of promising peace while escalating attacks on Ukrainian civilians. The president’s frustration is palpable as he demands real progress.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, is digging in its heels. Putin aide Yuri Ushakov claimed Thursday that Moscow and Washington agreed “in principle” to a bilateral summit. But the White House hasn’t confirmed any such deal, exposing Russia’s posturing as premature.
Ushakov insisted Russia wants a one-on-one meeting with Trump to ensure it’s “successful and effective.” This dodge of Zelensky’s inclusion reeks of Moscow’s usual playbook—sidestepping accountability while projecting strength. Trump’s not buying it.
Russia’s stock market spiked 4.5% after Moscow’s claim of a bilateral deal. The surge suggests investors are betting on a Trump-Putin tête-à-tête, but they’re ignoring the White House’s firm stance. No location for any meeting has been set, adding to the uncertainty.
Trump’s insistence on Zelensky’s presence is a masterstroke to corner Putin. “Putin must meet with Zelensky for the meeting to occur,” a White House official told The Post. This condition flips the script on Russia’s diplomatic games.
The Kremlin’s resistance to a trilateral meeting exposes its fear of direct confrontation with Ukraine’s leader. Putin’s team would rather charm Trump alone than face Zelensky’s resolve. It’s a weak move from a regime that thrives on bluster.
A trilateral meeting could be a game-changer for Ukraine’s war-torn people. No such summit has happened since Russia’s invasion began, making Trump’s push a potential breakthrough. But the odds hinge on Putin’s willingness to play ball.
Trump’s not naive about Moscow’s tactics. He’s voiced disappointment over past promises from Putin that led nowhere. His demand for clarity within “weeks, maybe less” shows he’s not here for endless delays.
The White House’s refusal to confirm a bilateral summit undercuts Moscow’s narrative. Russia’s claim of an agreement looks like propaganda meant to rattle markets and sow confusion. Trump’s team isn’t falling for it.
By tying Putin’s access to him with Zelensky’s inclusion, Trump is playing hardball. This isn’t just about optics -- it’s about forcing Russia to face Ukraine head-on. The move sidelines woke diplomatic niceties for realpolitik grit.
Putin’s reluctance to include Zelensky betrays his fear of losing the narrative. A trilateral meeting would expose Russia’s aggression in stark terms, something Moscow’s propaganda machine can’t spin easily. Trump is betting on that pressure.
If this summit happens, it could mark a turning point in the war. Trump’s clear-eyed approach -- demanding Zelensky’s seat at the table -- cuts through the fog of Russia’s doublespeak. America is back in the driver’s seat, and the world is watching.
